Downton Abbey (episode by episode) | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/series/downton-abbey-episode-by-episode
Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voiceen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015Tue, 31 Mar 2015 22:55:33 GMT2015-03-31T22:55:33Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015The Guardianhttp://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttp://www.theguardian.com
Downton Abbey Christmas special recap – it worked as retro festive wallpaperhttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/dec/25/downton-abbey-christmas-special-recap-it-worked-as-retro-festive-wallpaper
<p>Beautifully shot and wonderfully acted, yet all a bit too overcomplicated and drawn out. It must be the Downton Christmas special!</p><p>The labrador’s backside is back for Christmas. And let’s hope it’s not just for Christmas, eh? Actually, my Christmas wish would be that it is just for Christmas. Because if this convoluted outing proved anything, it’s that this series has outstayed its welcome. Unlike Isis the dog, whose absence in this Christmas special finally disproved the conspiracy theory that she was just absent from the last episode to tease us. Sorry, people, but Isis really is dead.</p><p>As always this was a beautifully made and wonderfully acted confection showcasing all the shortcomings of the Downton Abbey brand. In the opening sequences, it felt as if the actors had been directed to speak the dialogue slowly and carefully in order to help viewers a) worse for the cooking sherry and b) unfamiliar with Downton (as probably many Christmas-only viewers were – lucky them). There was a lot of signposting of characters and history, which only served to flag up that there are often far too many people involved and far too many things going on.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/dec/25/downton-abbey-christmas-special-recap-it-worked-as-retro-festive-wallpaper">Continue reading...</a>Downton AbbeyTelevision & radioPeriod dramaDramaCultureTelevisionThu, 25 Dec 2014 23:00:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/dec/25/downton-abbey-christmas-special-recap-it-worked-as-retro-festive-wallpaperPhotograph: Nick BriggsIn need of a breath of fresh air.Photograph: Nick BriggsIn need of a breath of fresh air.Photograph: Nick BriggsIt’s Christmas!Photograph: Nick BriggsIt’s Christmas!Viv Groskop2014-12-25T23:00:03ZDownton Abbey recap: series five, episode eight – a fittingly weird finalehttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/nov/09/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-eight-rip-isis-gone-and-forgotten
<p>What with the inevitable doggy demise and Anna’s run-in with the law, this feature-length final episode was, even by this show’s standards, pretty odd. Roll on series six!</p><p> •<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/nov/06/downton-abbey-sixth-series"> Downton Abbey gets a sixth series</a><br></p><p><em>SPOILER ALERT: This blog is for people watching <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/downton-abbey">Downton Abbey</a> series five. Don’t read on if you haven’t seen series five, episode eight.</em></p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/nov/02/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-seven-take-anyone-but-isis">Read Viv Groskop’s episode seven blog here.</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/nov/09/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-eight-rip-isis-gone-and-forgotten">Continue reading...</a>Downton AbbeyPeriod dramaDramaTelevisionTelevision & radioCultureSun, 09 Nov 2014 22:30:07 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/nov/09/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-eight-rip-isis-gone-and-forgottenPhotograph: Nick Briggs/ITVCarson and DenkerPhotograph: Nick Briggs/ITVCarson and DenkerPhotograph: Nick BriggsDaisy … revolutionary.Photograph: Nick BriggsDaisy … revolutionary.Photograph: Nick Briggs/Nick BriggsAnna … it was Keyser Soze!Photograph: Nick Briggs/Nick BriggsAnna … it was Keyser Soze!Viv Groskop2014-11-09T22:30:07ZDownton Abbey recap: series five, episode seven – take anyone but Isis!http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/nov/02/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-seven-take-anyone-but-isis
<p>There was a lot of action in this penultimate episode, but one storyline dominates – the dog has cancer and may not be long for this world</p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/nov/03/isis-in-crisis-is-downton-abbey-dog-best-character-die">• Isis in crisis: is Downton Abbey’s best character about to die?</a></p><p>I know a lot happened in this episode but really it was all about one thing: Isis has cancer. No! Not Isis! Take anyone. Take Cousin Violet. Take Daisy. To hell with it, take Molesley (still my favourite). But do not take Isis. As suspected, her canine voyeurism has poisoned her from within and now the only thing standing between her and the afterlife is a cashmere travel blanket.<br /></p><p>I am weeping far too much to point out the anachronisms – both behavioural and verbal – that piled up during this outing. OK, I’m not. Would the Earl of Grantham use the word “cancer” – and not a euphemism – in front of a large gathering of people? I wasn’t convinced either that Cora would be quite so relaxed about welcoming the illegitimate impostor child into the Downton nursery. I know she’s a a kerrazy American and all that but this was a stretch. (As the Earl of Grantham put it: “If you ask me, it’s absolutely crackers.”) And don’t get me started on Mary saying to Granny, as if this were The Jerry Springer Show: “You have to be bigger than that.”</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/nov/02/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-seven-take-anyone-but-isis">Continue reading...</a>Downton AbbeyPeriod dramaDramaTelevisionTelevision & radioCultureSun, 02 Nov 2014 22:03:09 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/nov/02/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-seven-take-anyone-but-isisPhotograph: Nick BriggsSybbie (Fifi Hart) and Robert (Hugh Bonneville) tend to Isis.Photograph: Nick BriggsSybbie (Fifi Hart) and Robert (Hugh Bonneville) tend to Isis.Viv Groskop2014-11-02T22:03:09ZDownton Abbey recap: series five, episode six – grand passion for the Dowager Countesshttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/oct/26/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-six-grand-passion-for-the-dowager-countess
<p>This was a good – perhaps even very good – episode, with romance, relationships exposed and even some potential for plot resolution</p><p><em>SPOILER ALERT: This blog is for people watching <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/downton-abbey">Downton Abbey</a> series five. Don’t read on if you haven’t seen series five, episode six.</em></p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/oct/19/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-five-a-sedate-echo-of-previous-plots">Read Viv Groskop’s episode five blog here.</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/oct/26/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-six-grand-passion-for-the-dowager-countess">Continue reading...</a>Downton AbbeyTelevision & radioPeriod dramaCultureDramaTelevisionSun, 26 Oct 2014 22:05:39 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/oct/26/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-six-grand-passion-for-the-dowager-countessPhotograph: Nick BriggsMystery illness ... Dr Clarkson and Thomas.Photograph: Nick BriggsMystery illness ... Dr Clarkson and Thomas.Photograph: Nick BriggsThe perils of Russian tea ... Maggie Smith as Cousin Violet.Photograph: Nick BriggsThe perils of Russian tea ... Maggie Smith as Cousin Violet.Viv Groskop2014-10-26T22:05:39ZDownton Abbey recap: series five, episode five – a sedate echo of previous plotshttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/oct/19/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-five-a-sedate-echo-of-previous-plots
<p>Not even a late, lavish cocktail party could save this episode, and the plot-based deja vu is becoming exhausting for regular viewers</p><p><em>SPOILER ALERT: This blog is for people watching <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/downton-abbey">Downton Abbey</a> series five. Don’t read on if you haven’t seen series five, episode five.</em></p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/oct/12/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-four-dangerously-close-to-an-actual-plot">Read Viv Groskop’s episode four blog here.</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/oct/19/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-five-a-sedate-echo-of-previous-plots">Continue reading...</a>Downton AbbeyPeriod dramaDramaTelevisionCultureTelevision & radioITV channelSun, 19 Oct 2014 21:05:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/oct/19/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-five-a-sedate-echo-of-previous-plotsPhotograph: Nick Briggs/PRAtticus and Lady Rose, who is falling in love with someone who is ‘not one of us’.Photograph: Nick Briggs/PRAtticus and Lady Rose, who is falling in love with someone who is ‘not one of us’.Photograph: Nick Briggs/PRMichelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley and Hugh Bonneville as Robert, Earl of Grantham.Photograph: Nick Briggs/PRMichelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley and Hugh Bonneville as Robert, Earl of Grantham.Photograph: Nick Briggs/PRSecretive … Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith.Photograph: Nick Briggs/PRSecretive … Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith.Viv Groskop2014-10-19T21:05:02ZDownton Abbey recap: series five, episode four – dangerously close to an actual plothttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/oct/12/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-four-dangerously-close-to-an-actual-plot
<p>We’re halfway through the series, so let’s celebrate with what must be the most hideous moment in the history of Downton, and possibly the English language</p><p><em>SPOILER ALERT: This blog is for people watching <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/downton-abbey">Downton Abbey</a> series five. Don’t read on if you haven’t seen series five, episode four.</em></p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/oct/05/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-three-like-great-british-bake-off-filmed-by-steven-berkoff">Read Viv Groskop’s episode three blog here</a>.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/oct/12/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-four-dangerously-close-to-an-actual-plot">Continue reading...</a>Downton AbbeyTelevision & radioPeriod dramaCultureDramaTelevisionSun, 12 Oct 2014 21:05:24 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/oct/12/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-four-dangerously-close-to-an-actual-plotPhotograph: Nick Briggs/Carnival Film and TelevisionInterchangeable suitor … Julian Ovenden as Charles Blake and Catherine Steadman as Mabel Lane Fox.Photograph: Nick Briggs/Carnival Film and TelevisionInterchangeable suitor … Julian Ovenden as Charles Blake and Catherine Steadman as Mabel Lane Fox.Photograph: Nick Briggs/Carnival Film and Television‘Oh. Yummy!’ … Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley.Photograph: Nick Briggs/Carnival Film and Television‘Oh. Yummy!’ … Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley.Photograph: Nick Briggs/Carnival Film and TelevisionTravelling salesman … a brief appearance from Richard E Grant as Simon Bricker with Elizabeth McGovern as Cora.Photograph: Nick Briggs/Carnival Film and TelevisionTravelling salesman … a brief appearance from Richard E Grant as Simon Bricker with Elizabeth McGovern as Cora.Viv Groskop2014-10-12T21:05:24ZDownton Abbey recap: series five, episode three: 'Like Great British Bake Off filmed by Steven Berkoff'http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/oct/05/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-three-like-great-british-bake-off-filmed-by-steven-berkoff
<p>The plot is still all over the place – but the weird Russians and a splendid turn from Spratt kept things bubbling along<br></p><p><em>SPOILER ALERT: This blog is for people watching <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/downton-abbey">Downton Abbey</a> series five. Don’t read on if you haven’t seen series five, episode three.</em></p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/sep/28/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-two">Read Viv Groskop’s episode two blog here.</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/oct/05/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-three-like-great-british-bake-off-filmed-by-steven-berkoff">Continue reading...</a>Downton AbbeyPeriod dramaTelevisionCultureDramaTelevision & radioSun, 05 Oct 2014 21:05:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/oct/05/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-three-like-great-british-bake-off-filmed-by-steven-berkoffPhotograph: Nick BriggsLady Mary … guilty (of something).Photograph: Nick BriggsLady Mary … guilty (of something).Photograph: Nick BriggsSpratt … golden eyebrow award.Photograph: Nick BriggsSpratt … golden eyebrow award.Photograph: Nick BriggsSimon and Cora … ‘She’s with another man!’Photograph: Nick BriggsSimon and Cora … ‘She’s with another man!’Viv Groskop2014-10-05T21:05:02ZDownton Abbey recap: series five, episode twohttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/sep/28/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-two
<p>Sigh … what a dismally dull affair this was. Do the producers really think the appearance of a toaster constitutes plot development? We need a wedding – and fast</p><p><em>SPOILER ALERT: This blog is for people watching <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/downton-abbey">Downton Abbey</a> series five. Don’t read on if you haven’t seen series five, episode two.</em></p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/sep/21/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-one">Read Viv Groskop’s episode one blog here.</a><br /><em><br /></em></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/sep/28/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-two">Continue reading...</a>Downton AbbeyPeriod dramaDramaTelevisionCultureTelevision & radioSun, 28 Sep 2014 21:05:30 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/sep/28/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-twoPhotograph: Nick Briggs/ITVThe wireless!Photograph: Nick Briggs/ITVThe wireless!Photograph: Nick Briggs/ITVLady Edith with Marigold.Photograph: Nick Briggs/ITVLady Edith with Marigold.Photograph: Nick Briggs/ITVSimon and Cora … what a lovely couple.Photograph: Nick Briggs/ITVSimon and Cora … what a lovely couple.Viv Groskop2014-09-28T21:05:30ZDownton Abbey recap: series five, episode onehttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/sep/21/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-one
<p>It’s vintage Downtown as we return to the Abbey in 1924: Hi-de-Hi! meets The Towering Inferno anyone?</p><p><em>SPOILER ALERT: This blog is for people watching <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/downton-abbey">Downton Abbey</a> series five. Don’t read on if you haven’t seen series five, episode one.</em></p><p>Oh lawks. Here we go again. The labrador’s backside is back. And with it a whole load of other upstairs-downstairs shenanigans, from the enjoyably, camply good to the downright bonkers-implausibly awful. Book-ended by that comforting opening shot of Isis’s ample, aristocratic flanks and a closing glimpse of Richard E Grant’s ample, aristocratic forehead, we entered series five with an episode that was vintage Downton. With all the desperate slapstick of Hi-de-Hi! interspersed with the screeching melodrama of The Towering Inferno, I have to admit that this week’s return offering was actually pretty good. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/sep/21/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-one">Continue reading...</a>CultureTelevision & radioDownton AbbeyPeriod dramaDramaTelevisionSun, 21 Sep 2014 21:30:16 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/sep/21/downton-abbey-recap-series-five-episode-onePhotograph: Nick Briggs/ITVLady Edith Crawley pops in on the Drewes.Photograph: Nick Briggs/ITVLady Edith Crawley pops in on the Drewes.Photograph: Nick Briggs/ITVJimmy (Ed Speleers) meets Lady Anstruther (Anna Chancellor).Photograph: Nick Briggs/ITVJimmy (Ed Speleers) meets Lady Anstruther (Anna Chancellor).Photograph: Nick Briggs/ITVThomas (Robert James-Collier) rescues Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) from her chambers.Photograph: Nick Briggs/ITVThomas (Robert James-Collier) rescues Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) from her chambers.Photograph: Nick BriggsLady Mary Crawley (Michelle Dockery), Lord Tony Gillingham (Tom Cullen) and Tom Branson (Allen Leech).Photograph: Nick BriggsLady Mary Crawley (Michelle Dockery), Lord Tony Gillingham (Tom Cullen) and Tom Branson (Allen Leech).Viv Groskop2014-09-21T21:30:16ZDownton Abbey recap: Christmas special 2013http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/dec/25/downton-abbey-recap-christmas-special
An aesthetically pleasing if narratively disappointing feature-length episode, which promised many romantic happy endings, but ended with the amorous equivalent of a stale mince pie<p>Mrs Hughes summed it up early doors: &quot;We're all tired. But not as tired as we're going to be.&quot; This episode was available ahead of Christmas, embargoed, on preview. Reviewers were asked not to reveal &quot;what happens in the last scene with Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes.&quot; What happens? <em>What happens?</em> This is what happens: Carson rolls his trousers up one and a half inches, they get their feet wet in the sea and (gasp) hold hands.</p><p>Oh for goodness sake, Uncle Julian, is this what you make us hold out four series for? A glimpse of Carson's ankles? (They are quite sexy. And intriguingly hairless.) I expected at least one wedding, possibly four. Have you not read Jane Austen? Or are we supposed to think that now that Carson and Mrs Hughes have held hands and done some paddling that they are, in fact, married and going to have a little baby?</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/dec/25/downton-abbey-recap-christmas-special">Continue reading...</a>Downton AbbeyTelevisionTelevision & radioPeriod dramaDownton Abbey: series fourWed, 25 Dec 2013 22:30:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/dec/25/downton-abbey-recap-christmas-specialNick BriggsDownton Abbey goes to London. Photograph: Nick BriggsNick BriggsDownton Abbey goes to London. Photograph: Nick BriggsViv Groskop2013-12-25T22:30:00ZDownton Abbey recap: series four, episode eighthttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/nov/10/downton-abbey-recap-series-four-episode-eight
It's over. But even after a truly exhausting series finale, we still have so many questions. Blink, and you may miss the answers<p>I said he would kill again. And he has. But what an anti-climax! And what a waste of mini-Den. I have calculated that they contracted him for 7.4 minutes of screen time for this entire series. Ah well, at least he made a big splash before he got pushed under the charabanc.</p><p>So what's the story from now on? Who is Lady Mary going to marry? Do we even care? Did Bates definitely kill and will he tell Anna? Has Alfred's mother really gone to live in Crewe? And is the suddenly important, potential future aristo-baby-owning pig man all he seems?</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/nov/10/downton-abbey-recap-series-four-episode-eight">Continue reading...</a>Downton AbbeyPeriod dramaTelevisionTelevision & radioDownton Abbey: series fourSun, 10 Nov 2013 22:00:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/nov/10/downton-abbey-recap-series-four-episode-eightNick Briggs/Nick BriggsDownton Abbey: what will we do with our Sunday evenings now? Photograph: Nick BriggsNick Briggs/Nick BriggsDownton Abbey: what will we do with our Sunday evenings now? Photograph: Nick BriggsViv Groskop2013-11-10T22:00:01ZDownton Abbey recap: season four, episode sevenhttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/nov/03/downton-abbey-recap-season-four-episode-seven
Lady Mary wants to make things right, Bates wants revenge, and Branson is having a political reawakening. All this plus some excellent shenanigans regarding valets<p><em>SPOILER ALERT: This blog is for people watching Downton Abbey series four. Don't read on if you haven't seen episode seven.</em></p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/oct/27/downton-abbey-recap-season-four-episode-six" title="">Click here for Viv's episode six blog</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/nov/03/downton-abbey-recap-season-four-episode-seven">Continue reading...</a>Downton AbbeyPeriod dramaTelevisionTelevision & radioDownton Abbey: series fourSun, 03 Nov 2013 22:05:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/nov/03/downton-abbey-recap-season-four-episode-sevenNick BriggsDownton Abbey: Gary Carr as Jack Ross and Lily James as Lady Rose. Photograph: Nick BriggsNick BriggsDownton Abbey: Gary Carr as Jack Ross and Lily James as Lady Rose. Photograph: Nick BriggsViv Groskop2013-11-03T22:05:00ZDownton Abbey recap: season four, episode sixhttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/oct/27/downton-abbey-recap-season-four-episode-six
Jazz, revenge and ornament theft compete for our attention in a busy episode. Uncle Julian, won't you give us a moment to catch our breath?<p><em>SPOILER ALERT: This blog is for people watching Downton Abbey series four. Don't read on if you haven't seen episode six.<br /></em><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/oct/20/downton-abbey-season-four-episode-five">Click here for Viv's episode five blog</a></p><p>It wouldn't do to brood too much over tonight's episode. But we Downton viewers are brooders. And brooders brood. In happy news this week: Isis was back in force, lounging in the drawing room with a &quot;How much longer is this going to go on?&quot; look on her face. Fortunately we are slowly but surely getting towards the end of the series. Thank goodness for that. I'm not sure how much more I can take.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/oct/27/downton-abbey-recap-season-four-episode-six">Continue reading...</a>Downton AbbeyTelevisionTelevision & radioPeriod dramaCultureDownton Abbey: series fourSun, 27 Oct 2013 22:05:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/oct/27/downton-abbey-recap-season-four-episode-sixNick BriggsMaking toast? Sophie McShera as Daisy in Downton Abbey. Photograph: Nick BriggsNick BriggsMaking toast? Sophie McShera as Daisy in Downton Abbey. Photograph: Nick BriggsViv Groskop2013-10-27T22:05:00ZDownton Abbey recap: season four, episode fivehttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/oct/20/downton-abbey-season-four-episode-five
In spite of its treacle-slow pace and lack of suspense, this week's Downton is surprisingly good<p><em>SPOILER ALERT: This blog is for people watching <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/downton-abbey">Downton Abbey</a> series four. Don't read on if you haven't seen episode two.</em></p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/oct/13/downton-abbey-series-four-episode-four">Viv Groskop's episode four blogpost</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/oct/20/downton-abbey-season-four-episode-five">Continue reading...</a>TelevisionTelevision & radioCultureDownton Abbey: series fourSun, 20 Oct 2013 21:06:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/oct/20/downton-abbey-season-four-episode-fiveNick Briggs/PRBrendan Coyle as Bates and Joanne Froggatt as Anna.
Photograph: Nick BriggsNick Briggs/PRBrendan Coyle as Bates and Joanne Froggatt as Anna.
Photograph: Nick BriggsViv Groskop2013-10-20T21:06:00ZDownton Abbey recap: series four, episode fourhttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/oct/13/downton-abbey-series-four-episode-four
There's not much to laugh about, and a new pregnancy obsession has taken hold, but this episode just about cuts the mustard<p><em>SPOILER ALERT: This blog is for people watching Downton Abbey series four. Don't read on if you haven't seen episode three.</em></p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/oct/06/downton-abbey-recap-season-four-episode-three" title="">Viv Groskop's episode three blogpost</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/oct/13/downton-abbey-series-four-episode-four">Continue reading...</a>Downton AbbeyTelevisionTelevision & radioPeriod dramaCultureDownton Abbey: series fourSun, 13 Oct 2013 20:59:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/oct/13/downton-abbey-series-four-episode-fourNick Briggs/PRBrow control … Lord Gillingham and Lady Mary Crawley.
Photograph: Nick BriggsNick Briggs/PRBrow control … Lord Gillingham and Lady Mary Crawley.
Photograph: Nick BriggsViv Groskop2013-10-13T20:59:00ZDownton Abbey recap: season four, episode threehttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/oct/06/downton-abbey-recap-season-four-episode-three
The horror in Downton is usually pantomime, but what happened to Anna this week felt rather nasty and voyeuristic<p><em>SPOILER ALERT: This blog is for people watching Downton Abbey series four. Don't read on if you haven't seen episode three.</em></p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/sep/29/downton-abbey-recap-season-four-episode-two">Viv Groskop's episode two blogpost</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/oct/06/downton-abbey-recap-season-four-episode-three">Continue reading...</a>Downton AbbeyTelevisionTelevision & radioCultureDownton Abbey: series fourSun, 06 Oct 2013 21:49:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/oct/06/downton-abbey-recap-season-four-episode-threeNick BriggsDownton Abbey: Jim Carter as Mr Cason and Elizabeth McGovern as Lady Grantham. Photograph: Nick BriggsNick BriggsDownton Abbey: Jim Carter as Mr Cason and Elizabeth McGovern as Lady Grantham. Photograph: Nick BriggsViv Groskop2013-10-06T21:49:01ZDownton Abbey recap: season four, episode twohttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/sep/29/downton-abbey-recap-season-four-episode-two
A dull week at Downton, despite a housemaid's costume drama and a New Evil Pairing. Even Bates was boring, and possibly quite bored himself<p><em>SPOILER ALERT: This blog is for people watching Downton Abbey series four. Don't read on if you haven't seen episode two .</em></p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/sep/22/downton-abbey-series-four-episode-one" title="">Viv Groskop's episode one blogpost</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/sep/29/downton-abbey-recap-season-four-episode-two">Continue reading...</a>Period dramaTelevisionDownton AbbeyTelevision & radioCultureDownton Abbey: series fourSun, 29 Sep 2013 21:05:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/sep/29/downton-abbey-recap-season-four-episode-twoNick BriggsDownton Abbey: Lily James as Lady Rose. Photograph: Nick BriggsNick BriggsDownton Abbey: Lily James as Lady Rose. Photograph: Nick BriggsViv Groskop2013-09-29T21:05:00ZDownton Abbey recap: series four, episode onehttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/sep/22/downton-abbey-series-four-episode-one
The fourth series of Downton Abbey opened with Edith behaving salaciously, more labrador action and excitement over newfangled kitchen gadgets<p><em>SPOILER ALERT: This blog is for people watching </em><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/downton-abbey" title=""><em>Downton Abbey</em></a><em> series four. Don't read on if you haven't seen episode one.</em></p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/series/downton-abbey-episode-by-episode?guni=Article:in%20body%20link" title="">Viv Groskop's series three blog</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/sep/22/downton-abbey-series-four-episode-one">Continue reading...</a>Downton AbbeyTelevisionTelevision & radioPeriod dramaDownton Abbey: series fourSun, 22 Sep 2013 20:59:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/sep/22/downton-abbey-series-four-episode-oneNick Briggs/PRLady Mary Crawley. Photograph: Nick BriggsNick Briggs/PRLady Mary Crawley. Photograph: Nick BriggsViv Groskop2013-09-22T20:59:00ZDownton Abbey: series three, episode eighthttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2012/nov/04/downton-abbey-series-three-episode-eight
It was all very literary – and check out those Brideshead costumes – but, although Bates fans were well catered for, couldn't they have given us a bit more action?<p>Is that it? Seriously? A few cups of tea and some scones at a cricket match and that's what you're going to leave us with? This was a giant serving of anti-climax, dolloped out with bouillon spoons.</p><p>There was no obvious cliff-hanger. Thomas was going and then he wasn't and then he was and then he wasn't. There was the bizarre introduction of a new character who went nowhere (Rose). And we had only a tantalising sniff of Her Ladyship's soap. Too fleeting! Seasoned, jaded viewers who have stuck with this sequinned turkey of a series through burnt kidney souffles, the death throes of eclampsia and tingle-free impotence deserved more, far more, than Molesley and his sticky wicket.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2012/nov/04/downton-abbey-series-three-episode-eight">Continue reading...</a>Downton AbbeyTelevisionTelevision & radioPeriod dramaDownton Abbey: series threeSun, 04 Nov 2012 22:30:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2012/nov/04/downton-abbey-series-three-episode-eightGiles KeyteDownton Abbey … was that it? A cricket match? Photograph: Giles KeyteGiles KeyteDownton Abbey … was that it? A cricket match? Photograph: Giles KeyteViv Groskop2012-11-04T22:30:02ZDownton Abbey: series three, episode sevenhttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2012/oct/28/downton-abbey-series-three-episode-seven
Oh dear, things have got a bit patchy again. And let's hope there's another series – or next week's instalment is going to have an awful lot of loose ends to tie up<p><em>SPOILER ALERT: This blog is for people watching Downton Abbey series three. Don't read on if you haven't seen episode seven.</em></p><p><a href="http://gu.com/p/3b96p/tw" title=""><em> Viv Groskop's episode six blog</em></a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2012/oct/28/downton-abbey-series-three-episode-seven">Continue reading...</a>Downton AbbeyTelevisionTelevision & radioPeriod dramaDownton Abbey: series threeSun, 28 Oct 2012 22:05:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2012/oct/28/downton-abbey-series-three-episode-sevenGiles KeyteLove that baby … Violet and Lord Grantham Photograph: Giles KeyteGiles KeyteLove that baby … Violet and Lord Grantham Photograph: Giles KeyteViv Groskop2012-10-28T22:05:01Z